Florida's Super Speeder Law Makes Getting a Fort Myers Speeding Ticket Much Worse
Receiving a speeding ticket in Florida just became significantly more serious under the new "Super Speeder" legislation. Florida law enforcement handed out approximately 683,000 speeding tickets in 2023 alone, but now certain offenders could face jail time instead of just paying a fine. House Bill 351 targets drivers who push their speedometers to dangerous extremes, creating severe penalties for what the state defines as "excessive speeding".
Furthermore, this isn't just about minor infractions. The new law specifically targets drivers caught traveling 50 miles per hour over the posted limit or reaching speeds of 100 mph or more. If you're wondering how long a speeding ticket stays on your record or does a speeding ticket affect your insurance, these concerns pale in comparison to the potential consequences under this legislation. First-time offenders could face up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both, while second convictions increase the penalties to 90 days behind bars and $1,000 fines. When you consider that in Lee County alone, deputies cited 101 drivers for going over 100 mph in January of this year compared to just 29 during the same month last year, it's clear why lawmakers felt compelled to act.
What Florida’s Super Speeder Law Actually Says
Florida's Super Speeder Law, also known as House Bill 351, marks a dramatic shift in how the state handles extreme traffic violations. This legislation creates a new category of offense with much harsher consequences than standard speeding tickets. Understanding the details of this law is essential for all Florida drivers.
What qualifies as 'super speeding'
The legislation clearly defines "super speeding" as driving at exceptionally dangerous speeds. Specifically, you'll fall under this classification if you're caught:
Traveling at 50 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit
Driving at speeds of 100 miles per hour or greater regardless of the posted limit
For instance, if you're driving 105 mph on a highway with a 70 mph limit, you qualify on both counts. This categorization differs from regular speeding tickets in Florida, which typically result in fines and points on your license depending on how fast you were going over the limit.
When the law takes effect
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Super Speeder bill into law on March 25, 2024, after it passed through both legislative chambers with overwhelming support. The law officially goes into effect on July 1, 2024. At that point, law enforcement across Florida will begin enforcing these new regulations.
Before this date, similar excessive speeding violations would typically result in hefty fines and points on your license, but generally wouldn't lead to jail time for first-time offenders. Nevertheless, from July onward, even a single violation could land you behind bars.
Why the law was introduced
The creation of this stricter legislation stems from alarming increases in extreme speeding cases throughout Florida. Law enforcement officials across the state reported encountering more drivers traveling at dangerously high speeds, particularly since 2020.
In fact, Collier County deputies alone cited 101 drivers for exceeding 100 mph in January 2024—more than triple the 29 citations issued during the same month in 2023. These statistics highlight a growing problem that lawmakers felt required more substantial deterrents.
Additionally, state officials pointed to several high-profile accidents caused by excessive speeding as catalysts for change. The bill's sponsors emphasized that standard speeding tickets weren't proving effective at discouraging the most dangerous driving behaviors, especially among repeat offenders.
Notably, the law aims to address the difference between someone driving slightly over the speed limit versus those operating vehicles at speeds that virtually guarantee catastrophic outcomes in the event of a collision. By creating separate categories with distinct penalties, lawmakers hope to specifically target the most dangerous driving behaviors on Florida roads.
Penalties for Speeding Just Got a Lot Tougher
The consequences for extreme speeding in Florida have dramatically intensified under the new law, transforming what was once merely a traffic infraction into a criminal offense with serious repercussions. Unlike standard speeding violations that only result in fines and points, super speeding can now land you behind bars.
First-time offense: jail time and fines
Under the new penalties, first-time super speeders face unprecedented consequences. If convicted, you could spend up to 30 days in jail, pay a $500 fine, or receive both punishments simultaneously. This represents a fundamental shift from the previous system where even significant speeding typically resulted in only monetary penalties. Moreover, the mandatory fine structure removes judicial discretion that previously allowed for variable fines based on circumstances.
Second offense: higher penalties and license suspension
Repeat offenders face even harsher consequences. A second conviction brings potential jail time of up to 90 days, a fine of $1,000, or both. Perhaps most disruptively, if your second offense occurs within five years of the first, your driver's license will be revoked for at least 180 days but potentially up to one year. Consequently, this could significantly impact your ability to commute to work, attend school, or handle everyday responsibilities.
Mandatory court appearances explained
Unlike minor speeding infractions that can be resolved by simply paying a fine, super speeding violations require your physical presence in court. This mandatory appearance applies to anyone caught driving 50 mph over the posted limit. Subsequently, failing to appear for your court date carries its own severe consequences, including potential arrest warrants and automatic license suspension. Surprisingly, many drivers underestimate the seriousness of mandatory court appearances, treating them as optional when they are, in fact, legally required.
Throughout the state, court clerks emphasize that these mandatory appearances cannot be substituted with written statements or affidavits. According to Sheriff Mina, one of the law's supporters, "I think people are going to slow it down, back it way down. Really, there's no reason, ever, to go over 100 mph".
The Real-World Impact Behind the Law
Behind Florida's Super Speeder Law lies a tragic human story that inspired legislative action.
The case of Anthony Reznick
The legislation was partially motivated by the heartbreaking death of 11-year-old Anthony Reznick in Sunny Isles Beach. In 2022, Reznick was struck and killed in a crosswalk by Samentha Toussaint, who was traveling at approximately 85 mph in a residential zone without headlights. Remarkably, despite having more than two dozen prior traffic citations and a suspended license, Toussaint faced no criminal charges under previous Florida law. The judge merely suspended her license for eight years and ordered community service and fines. This outcome outraged the community and highlighted critical gaps in Florida's traffic laws.
Speeding statistics in Florida
The statistics undeniably support the need for stricter penalties. According to the 2023 Florida Traffic Crash Facts report, the state experienced 10,922 speeding-related crashes. In that same year, law enforcement issued over 683,000 speeding tickets, with nearly 2,600 specifically for drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph. Essentially, speeding contributed to approximately 10% of all traffic-related fatalities in Florida between 2019 and 2023, with most offenders being males between 16 and 25 years old.
Law enforcement's weekly encounters with extreme speeders
Officers throughout Florida routinely document alarming cases of extreme speeding. Indeed, in Orange County alone, deputies cited 101 drivers for exceeding 100 mph in January 2025—compared to only 29 during the same month the previous year. The Florida Highway Patrol frequently posts about troopers stopping drivers going over 100 mph on interstates.
Sheriff John Mina of Orange County explained the stark reality: "If you get into a crash going over 100 mph, you're not going to survive that. The people you strike aren't going to survive that".
If you have been injured in a car accident and need a lawyer, call our Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs, and Naples Auto Accident Attorneys at Pittman Law Firm, P.L. today for a free consultation.
How This Law Compares to Other States
Florida isn't the only state cracking down on extreme speeding offenses. Several states have implemented or are developing their own approaches to combat dangerous driving behaviors.
Georgia's Super Speeder law
Georgia pioneered the Super Speeder concept in 2010, though with different thresholds than Florida. In Georgia, you're classified as a Super Speeder when caught driving at 75 mph or higher on two-lane roads or 85 mph and above on any road or highway. Beyond regular court fines, Georgia Super Speeders must pay an additional $200 state fee. Failure to pay within 120 days results in license suspension plus a $50 reinstatement fee. Primarily designed as a revenue generator for trauma centers, Georgia's program has collected over $120 million in four years.
Upcoming laws in Virginia and Washington
Recently, Virginia became the first state to take a technological approach to extreme speeding. Starting July 2026, Virginia judges can order the installation of "speed limiting technology" in vehicles of drivers convicted of going over 100 mph. Washington quickly followed with its BEAM Act, requiring GPS-based Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) devices for suspended licenses due to reckless driving. These devices identify speed limits and restrict vehicles from exceeding them. Similar legislation is pending in Georgia, and Washington D.C. has already approved "speed governor" requirements for repeat offenders.
Why Florida's law is considered one of the strictest
Unlike Georgia's civil penalty approach, Florida's law creates a criminal offense. First, Georgia's law imposes only additional fees, whereas Florida's penalties include potential jail time—up to 30 days for first offenses and 90 days for second offenses. Second, Florida's law targets speeds 50 mph over the limit or driving over 100 mph, making its thresholds potentially stricter than Georgia's fixed speeds. Third, Georgia adds no points to driving records for Super Speeder violations, while Florida imposes license suspension for repeat offenders. Essentially, Florida's approach represents a fundamental shift from treating extreme speeding as a traffic violation to classifying it as a criminal act.
Conclusion
Florida's Super Speeder Law marks a watershed moment for traffic enforcement throughout the state. Unlike standard speeding tickets that merely result in fines and points, this legislation transforms extreme speeding into a criminal offense with serious jail time. Therefore, Florida drivers must recognize the significant shift in consequences before hitting the accelerator.
Undoubtedly, the penalties for violating this law are severe. First-time offenders face up to 30 days in jail and $500 in fines, while second offenses could land you behind bars for 90 days with $1,000 in fines. Additionally, your license could be suspended for up to a year if caught twice within five years.
Though other states like Georgia have implemented similar laws, Florida's approach stands as one of the strictest nationwide. Rather than simply adding fees or points to your driving record, Florida has elevated extreme speeding to criminal status, fundamentally changing how these violations are treated.
The reasoning behind this legislative crackdown becomes clear when examining the statistics. Law enforcement encounters with extreme speeders have tripled in some counties, while tragic cases like Anthony Reznick's death highlight the devastating human cost of dangerous driving behaviors.
Starting July 1, 2024, you must think twice before pushing your vehicle to excessive speeds. After all, the momentary thrill of racing down Florida highways could cost you your freedom, finances, and driving privileges. The message from lawmakers and law enforcement is crystal clear: extreme speeding will no longer be treated as a simple traffic violation but as the potentially deadly criminal behavior it truly represents.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key points of Florida's new Super Speeder Law? The law targets drivers going 50 mph over the speed limit or 100 mph or more. First-time offenders can face up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine, while repeat offenders may get up to 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. The law also requires mandatory court appearances for violators.
Q2. When does Florida's Super Speeder Law take effect? The Super Speeder Law in Florida goes into effect on July 1, 2024. After this date, law enforcement across the state will begin enforcing these new regulations for extreme speeding offenses.
Q3. How does Florida's Super Speeder Law compare to similar laws in other states? Florida's law is considered one of the strictest nationwide. Unlike Georgia's law, which imposes additional fees, Florida's approach creates a criminal offense with potential jail time. It also has stricter speed thresholds and imposes license suspension for repeat offenders.
Q4. What happens if I get caught speeding excessively in Florida? If you're caught violating the Super Speeder Law, you'll be required to appear in court. Depending on whether it's your first or subsequent offense, you could face jail time, fines, and potential license suspension. The law treats extreme speeding as a criminal act rather than a simple traffic violation.
Q5. How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in Florida? In Florida, speeding tickets and other driving infractions typically remain on your driving record for five years. However, the impact on your car insurance rates usually diminishes over time, often affecting rates for about three to five years.
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